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Acquired
Structure Training
Water
Rescue Training
On Monday July 23rd,
FWFC members held a drill in Fort Washington
State Park along the Wissahickon Creek. The
purpose of the drill was for the members to
refresh themselves on basic water rescue
operations and to try the new immersion suits that
were purchased earlier in the year.
These suits are
designed to keep members dry while operating in
water and feature a built in hood, feet and
gloves. Many times, FWFC is called to numerous
water rescue calls within a short period of time
and these suits will be a benefit to the members
by allowing them to stay dry and warm.
In addition to the
suits, members practiced utilizing rope bags to
reach victims in the water and guide them to
shore. It is always preferred to attempt a rescue
from shore before entering the water.
 
Burn
Drill With Station 10
On
Sunday May 27th, station 10 (Willow Grove Fire
Company) joined station 88 for a burn drill at the
training grounds. Both companies completed several
evolutions and practiced advancing hose to the 2nd
floor fire as well as completing searches. We were
also joined by a local scout troop, who came to
observe the training session and take an up-close
look at the equipment.
 
FWFC
Annual "Work Sunday" Clean Up
On
Sunday May 6th, FWFC members headed to the training
grounds at the crack of dawn for our annual
"Work Sunday" clean up. Each year, members
complete various projects large and small to keep
our training facility in top notch condition.
After a hearty breakfast, it was time to clean the
burn building, rake leaves and assist with many
other tasks. A lot was accomplished, but as always,
there will be plenty more projects to work on next
year!
FWFC
Member Graduates FDNY Academy
On
Thursday 2/22, FWFC member Dan Saalfrank graduated
from FDNY's academy. After spending 13 weeks at
"The Rock," Dan has been assigned to
Ladder Company 169 in Brooklyn.
Five FWFC members made the trip up to New
York to attend Dan's graduation. They made
sure to remind
him of where he got his start. We would all like to
congratulate Dan on his accomplishment and wish him
luck in his career as one of New York's bravest.
Click
here for New York City's story
Housing Ceremony for Engine 88 and Traffic 88
Engine 88 and Traffic 88, two of our newest
apparatus, were "housed" in an age old
ceremony.
“Housing” is a tradition among fire stations
throughout the country. The records of many early
fire companies mention the housing of new apparatus,
though not actually using that term in all cases.
It was a tradition born in the 1830's with the
proliferation of fire and hose companies in our
eastern cities. Many new companies purchased - or
borrowed - used equipment from other companies. The
selling company, usually in Philadelphia or New
York, would often deliver the engine or carriage and
have the honor of "housing" it at its new owner's
house. Many times, when a newly-built engine or
carriage arrived, one of the city's companies would
be given the honor of escorting it to the owning
company's house and placing it in service.
Part of the
traditional housing ceremony includes having the firefighters push
the new apparatus into the firehouse which stemmed from the time of
horse drawn equipment could not be easily be backed into the
building by the horses.
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Firefighters
from Edge Hill Fire Company
ceremoniously "push" Engine 88 into the
firehouse
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Firefighters
from Wissahickon Fire Company
"push" Traffic 88 into the firehouse.
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Although there
was no band, firefighters and their families proudly
looked on as
the ceremony played out. Following the ceremony
everyone enjoyed
light refreshments served in the main meeting room.
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